Paper roll straightener



Dec. 20, 1966 L. w. MEYER ETAL PAPER ROLL STRAIGHTENER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 9, 1965 ,4rrpmvzrs Dec. 20, 1966 L. w. MEYER ETAL 3,292,903

PAPER ROLL STRAIGHTENER Filed July 9, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I NVENTORS United States Patent 3,292,903 PAPER ROLL STRAIGHTENER Luther W. Meyer, 929 E. 4th St., and James J. Van Gompel, Martin St., both of Menasha, Wis. 54952 Filed July 9, 1965, Ser. No. 470,802 Claims. (Cl. 254-124) This invention relates to expansion tools, and more particularly to a tool for opening and rounding deformed cores in rolls of paper or other sheet material.

A main object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved expansion tool for use in Opening and rounding of rolls of paper or other materials that have become flattened or otherwise deformed during handling or in transit, the tool being relatively simple in construction, being easy to operate, and being usable with rolls which have been flattened or deformed to an extreme degree such that there is very little space in the cores of such rolls for the insertion of the core-engaging elements of the tool.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved hydraulically-operated tool for rounding out and spreading apart the core portions of paper or other sheet material which have become flattened, crimped, or otherwise deformed, the tool being relatively inexpensive to manufacture, being durable in construction, being compact in size, and having a wide range of adjustments so that it can be employed with rolls of various sizes.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an improved expansion tool for effectively opening and rounding the core portions of rolls of paper or any other flexible sheet material which have become deformed or flattened, the tool being easy to insert into a roll to be re-shaped, being arranged so that it can be readily adjusted in accordance with the desired spread of its workengaging members, and being arranged so that it engages within a core to be reshaped without causing any marring or damage to the core or to the material wound thereon.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description and claims, and from the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary longitudinal vertical crosssectional view taken through a roll of material which is being rounded by means of an improved expansion tool constructed in accordance with the present invention, parts of the tool being broken away to reveal details of inter-construction.

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary longitudinal crosssectional view taken substantially on the line 22 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a transverse vertical cross-sectional view taken substantially on the line 3-3 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective View showing the work-engaging elements of the tool in interleaved relationship preparatory to insertion thereof into the core of a flattened roll which is to be re-shaped.

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the arms of an expansion tool according to the present invention, the arms being provided with adjustable attachment collar elements adapted to be connected to objects or portions of an object to be spread apart by means of the tool.

FIGURE 6 is a somewhat enlarged perspective view of one of the force-transmitting strut bars employed in the tool of FIGURES 1 to 5.

Referring to the drawings, 11 generally designates an improved expansion tool constructed in accordance with the present invention. The tool 11 comprises a hydraulic cylinder 12 containing a piston 13 which is provided with a piston rod 14 extending sealingly and slidably through one end wall 15 of the hydraulic cylinder 12. The other end wall 16 of the cylinder is formed with a pair of parallel spaced, apertured lugs 17, 17 through which ex- 3,292,903 Patented Dec. 20, 1966 tends a transverse pivot bolt 18 which is secured to the lugs by the provision of a fastening nut 19 on the threaded reduced end portion 20 of the bolt, as shown in FIGURE Designated generally at 21 and 22 are respective working arm assemblies which are pivotally-connected to the cylinder 12 at the end wall 16 by the pivot bolt 18. Thus, the working-arm assembly 21 comprises a generally L- shaped rear bar portion 23 having the respective legs 29 and 24, and a generally S-shaped forward bar portion 25' having the oppositely-directed end legs 30 and 37, the stem of bar portion 25 being substantially longer than the leg 24 of rear bar portion 23. Leg 24 has an aperture at its end which receives the pivot bolt 18. Bar portion 25 and leg 29 are rigidly-connected by opposing L-shaped bars 31, 31 welded to opposite sides of the members 29 and 25, the bars 31 having end legs 32 which are substantially narrower than the stem of bar portion 25 and which terminate short of the end leg 37, as shown in FIG- URE 1. The end legs 32 are welded to the forward margins of the stem of the S-shaped bar portion 25. Secured in the remainder of the stem element of bar portion 25 behind the narrowed bar elements 32, 32 are the spaced, transversely-extending abutment pins 33. As shown in FIGURE 1, the abutment pins 33 extend along a line which is generally parallel to the opposite edges of the stem of bar portion 25 and is generally parallel to the narrowed bar elements 32.

The arm assembly 22 comprises a pair of parallel, generally C-shaped bars 26, 26 having short legs 27 at one of the ends thereof and longer legs 28 at the opposite ends thereof the short legs 27 being provided at their ends with apertures which receive the pivot bolt 18, the legs 27 being disposed between the lugs 17, 17 on opposite sides of leg 24 of the opposing working-arm assembly 21, as shown in FIGURE 2.

The bar elements 26, 26 are rigidly-secured together in spaced parallel relationship by the provision of an,

intervening gusset member 34 which is slightly larger in thickness than the bar 25 so that the free end portion 37 of the bar 25 is slidably-receivable between the free end portions of the legs 28, 28. As shown in FIGURE 1, the gusset plate 34 is preferably located between the forward marginal portions of the legs 28 and is rigidly-secured thereto, as by welding. The spacer gusset member 34 is substantially smaller in width than the leg elements 28, 28, leaving a substantial amount of space therebehind. Secured transversely in this space and being arranged generally symmetrically with reference to the center line of cylinder 12 to the abutment pins 33 are transversely-ex tending spaced abutment pins 35. The pins 35 are arranged along a line substantially parallel to the opposite edges of legs 28, 28 and to the spacer gusset member 34, as shown in FIGURE 1, and are spaced apart by the same distances employed for the spacing of the abutment pins 33.

The leg 37 of bar member 25 is formed at its free end to define a hook portion which projects forwardly and which is provided with a generally semicircular outwardlyfacing notch 38. The bar members 26, 26 are similarly provided at the ends of their legs 28 with the forwardlydirected hook portions 39 provided with the parallel outwardly-facing, generally semicircular notches 40. Piston rod 14 is provided at its outer end with a U-shaped' bracket 41 having the spaced parallel apertured arms 42, 42in which is secured a transverse pivot bolt 43, the pivot bolt being retained by the provision of a fastening nut 44 engaged on its reduced threaded end portion 45, as shown in FIGURE 2. Received between the arms 42, 42 are the ends of a pair of strut-bar assemblies 47 and 48, said strut-bar assemblies being pivotally-engaged on the pivot bolt 43. Thus, the strut-bar assembly 47 comprises an tions of the transverse abutment pins 33 in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 1.

The remaining strut-bar assembly 48 likewise consists of an elongated bar of generally rectangular cross-section formed at its forward end with a reduced-thickness portion 52 receivable between the legs 28, 28, the end of the bar element 52 being formed with a forwardly-facing notch 53 shaped to receive a transverse abutment pin 35 in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 1. The opposite end of the bar member 48 is formed with a rearwardly-opening slot 54 defining a pair of spaced parallel fingers 55,: 55. The fingers 55,55 are apertured to receive the transverse pivot bolt 43 in the same manner as the reduced-thickness portion 99 of strut bar 47, the member 99 being received between the fingers 55, 55 in the manner shown in FIGURE 2.

Suitable means is provided for extending the piston 13. For example, the rear portion of cylinder 12 may be connected by flexible conduit 60 to a conventional manuallyoperated hydraulic pump 61 having the operating lever 62. Actuation of lever 62 forces hydraulic fluid under pressure into the rear portion of cylinder 12, causing the piston 13 to be moved to the left, as viewed in FIGURE 2, against the force of a biasing spring 64 provided on piston rod 14 and bearing between piston 13 and the end wall of the cylinder. The strut bars 47 and 48 are engaged with selected abutment pins 33 and 35, so that the extension of the piston rod 14 causes the strut-bar elements 47 and 48 to transmit outward-spreading force to the outer leg portions of the arm assemblies 21 and 22, thereby urging the hook elements 37 and 39 apart; Respective spreader shoes 65 and 66 are provided, said shoes being insertable within a core 67 to be re-shaped, the shoes 65 and 66 being respectively provided with abutment arms 68 and 69 projecting perpendicularly thereto and having rounded end edges of generally semicircular cross-sectional shape which are pivotally-engageable in the semicircular notches 38 and 40, as shown in FIGURE 1. The spreading force acting on hook elements 37 and 39 is thus transmitted to the shoe members 65 and 66 and hence, to the diametrically-opposite portions of the core 67 to be spread apart. Assuming the roll, shown at 70, to be initially in a severely deformed or flattened shape so that the core 67 thereof isgenerally of elliptical shape, as shown in dotted view in FIGURE 3, the spreading force of the shoe members 65 and 66 is applied to the inside surfaces of the core 67 substantially at the ends of the minor diameter of the ellipse and sufiicient spreading force is applied to distort the ellipse so that the core assumes the generally elliptical shape shown in full-line view in FIGURE 3, wherein the spreader shoes 65 and 66 are substantially at the ends of the major diameter of the new ellipse. By this procedure, when the tool is disengaged from the core, the roll will tend to relax to a generally circular cross-sectional shape, shown in dotted view in FIGURE 3 at 67'.

As shown in FIGURE 5, the hook elements 37 and 39, 39 can be interleaved, in the manner illustrated, for example, in FIGURE 4,- so that the resultant interleaved hook elements can be easily inserted into a roll which has been severely flattened or deformed, and which thus presents a relatively smalljnsertion space for re-shaping the roll. Thus, in repairing a roll in this condition, the arms 21 and 22 are arranged substantially in the manner illustrated in FIGURES 4 and v5 with the hook elements 37 and 39, 39 interleaved and with the strut bars 47 and 48 engaged with the innermost abutment pins 33 and 35. By operating the pump 61 by means of its handle 62, the hydraulic fluid under pressure may then be forced into the cylinder 12, causing the piston rod 14 to become extended, whereby the hook elements 37 and 39, 39 apply spreading force to the shoes 65 and 66 engaged in the core 67 to be re-shaped, as above-described, so that the roll may be re-:

turned to its desired original, generally cylindrical con-:

figuration in the manner above-explained. The re-shaping procedure may be performed first at one end of the roll, and then at the other, and may be repeated, as required, to bring the roll to its desired generally cylindrical shape.

Obviously, the strut bars 47 and 48 may be engaged with selected pins 33 and 35, in accordance withthe amount of spread required.

If so desired, adjustable strut bars 47 or 48 may be employed, for example, of the types illustrated in FIG-:

URE 6. The typical strut bar shown in FIGURE 6 is, designated generally at 47' and comprises a rear body portion and a forward body portion 81 whichlare adjustably-connected by an axially-extending stud 82.?

The members 80 and 81 are respectively threadedlyr engaged on the opposite end portions of the stud 82 so that they may be adjusted to any desired degree of separa-. tion. The end member 80 is provided with the apertured connection lug 48' engageable on the pivot bolt 43, and

The implement herein described may be employed for various purposes requiring spreading force, other than for re-shaping rolls of paper or other flexible sheet ma-i terials. Thus, apertures and 91 are provided in the forward outer end portions of the arms 21 and 22, w-hcre-= by said arms may be connected by suitable force-trans;

mitting means to objects to be spread apart, or to portions of an object to be spread apart. Furthermore, as shown in FIGURE 5, respective collar members 93 and 94 may be slidably-mounted on the arms 21 and 22 for adjust ment therealong, said collar members being provided with set screws 95 for locking them in adjusted positions on the arms. The collar members 93 and 94 are pro-' vided with the respective apertured outwardly projecting lugs 96 and 97 which maybe connected by suitable force-transmitting means to objects to be spread apart, or to portions of an object to be spread apart.

As shown in FIGURE 1, the hydraulic pump 61 may be provided with a suitable pressure-indicating means, such as a pressure gauge 98 to indicate the amount of hydraulic pressure delivered to the cylinder 12. When the hydraulic pressure is released, allowing the hydraulic fluid to return to the pump, the spring 64 retracts piston rod 14, releasing the spreader arms21 and 22 and allowing the hook elements 37 and 39, 39 to be disengaged from the spreader shoes 65, '66. This is done after the core has been spread from the dotted-view position shown.

in FIGURE 3 to the full-line position thereof, in the manner above-described, after wln'ch the core will relax to a substantially cylindrical configuration having the general circular cross-section, for example, as shown in:

dotted view at 67' in FIGURE 3.

After a roll has been re-shaped, as above-described;

suitable plugs may be inserted in its ends to maintain ,its

shape for shipment or the roll may be mounted on a shaft for use on a machine.

Because of the pivoting action provided by the engagement of the semicircular notches 38 and 40 with the,

rounded edges of the abutment lugs 68 and 69, evenlydistributed pressure is applied by the shoes 65 .and 66 While certain specific embodiments of an improved tool for use as a spreading implement have been disclosed in the foregoing description, it will be understood that various modifications within the spirit of the invention may occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, it is intended that no limitations be placed on the invention except as defined by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a tool for use in re-shaping rolls of material, a fluid-pressure cylinder having a piston and a piston rod secured to the piston and extending from the forward end of the cylinder, a pair of working arms pivoted to the rear end of the cylinder and extending forwardly a substantial distance beyond the cylinder on opposite sides thereof, respective forwardly-projecting hook elements on the ends of the working arms, respective shoe members engageable against opposing inside wall portions of a roll of material, said shoe members having respective pivot lugs, means on the respective hook elements pivotally-engageable with said lugs, respective abutment elements on the working arms, respective strut bars pivotally-connected to said piston rod, and means to drivingly interconnect said strut bars with said abutment elements.

2. In a tool for use in re-shaping rolls of material, a fluid-pressure cylinder having a piston and a piston rod secured to the piston and extending from the forward end of the cylinder, a pair of working arms pivoted to the rear end of the cylinder and extending forwardly a substantial distance beyond the cylinder on opposite sides thereof, respective inwardly-extending legs on the forward ends of the working arms, respective forwardlyprojecting hook elements on the ends of the legs, respective shoe members engageable against opposing inside wall portions of a roll of material, said shoe members having respective pivot lugs, means on the respective hook elements pivotally-engageable with said lugs, respective abutment elements on the legs, respective strut bars pivotally-connected to said piston rods, and meansto drivingly interconnect said strut bars with said abutment elements.

3. In a tool for use in re-shaping rolls of material, a fluid-pressure cylinder having a piston and a piston rod secured to the piston and extending from the forward end of the cylinder, a pair of working arms pivoted to the rear end of the cylinder and extending forwardly a substantial distance beyond the cylinder on opposite sides thereof, respective inwardly-extending legs on the forward ends of the working arms, respective forwardlylprojecting hook elements on the ends of the legs, respective shoe members engageable against opposing inside wall portions of a roll of material, said shoe members having respective inwardly-extending pivot lugs, said hook elements being formed with outwardly-facing arcuately-shaped notches respectively pivotally-engageable with said lugs, respective abutment elements on the legs, respective strut bars pivotally-connected to said piston rods, and means to drivingly interconnect said strut bars with said abutment elements.

4. In a tool for use in re-shaping rolls of material, a fluid-pressure cylinder having a piston and a piston rod secured to the piston and extending from the forward end of the cylinder, a pair of working arms pivoted to the rear end of the cylinder and extending forwardly a substantial distance beyond the cylinder on opposite sides thereof, respective inwardly-extending legs on the forward ends of the working arms, respective forwardlyprojecting hook elements on the ends of the legs, respective shoe members engageable against opposing inside wall portions of a roll of material, said shoe members [having respective inwardly-extending pivot lugs having rounded inner ends, said hook elements being formed with outwardly-facing arcuately-shaped notches respectively pivotally-engageable with said lugs, respective abutment elements on the legs, respective strut bars pivotally-connected to said piston rod, and means to drivingly interconnect said strut bars with said abutment elements.

5. In a tool for use for re-shaping rolls of material, a fluid-pressure cylinder having a piston and a piston rod secured to the piston and extending from the forward end of the cylinder, a pair of working arms, means pivotallyconnecting the working arms to the rear end of the cylinder, said working arms extending forwardly a substantial distance beyond the cylinder on opposite sides thereof, respective inwardly-extending legs on the forward ends of the working arms, respective forwardly-projecting hook elements on the ends of the legs, respective shoe members engageable against opposing inside wall portions of a roll of material, said shoe members having respective inwardly-extending pivot lugs having rounded inner ends, said hook elements being formed with outwardly-facing arcuately-shaped notches respectively pivotally-engageable with said lugs, respective transverse abutment pins on the legs, and respective strut bars pivotally-connected to said piston rod, said strut bars having notches in their outer ends receiving said abutment pins to drivingly interconnect said strut bars with said abutment pins.

6. In a tool for use in re-shaping rolls of material, a fluid-pressure cylinder having a piston and a piston rod secured to the piston and extending from the forward end of the cylinder, a pair of working arms pivoted to the rear end of the cylinder and extending forwardly a substantial distance beyond the cylinder on opposite sides thereof, respective forwardly-projecting hook elements on the ends of the working arms, respective shoe members engageable against opposing inside wall portions of a roll of material, said shoe members having respective pivot lugs, means on the respective hook elements pivotally-engageable with said lugs, respective abutment elements on the working arms, respective strut bars pivotally-connected to said piston rod, and means to drivingly interconnect said strut bars with said abutment elements, said hook elements being laterally-offset relative to each other so that they can be at times superimposed.

7. In a tool for use in re-shaping rolls of material, a fluid-pressure cylinder having a piston and a piston rod secured to the piston and extending from the forward end of the cylinder, a pair of working arms pivoted to the rear end of the cylinder and extending forwardly a substantial distance beyond the cylinder on opposite sides thereof, respective inwardly-extending legs on the forward ends of the working arms, respective forwardly-projecting hook elements on the ends of the legs, respective shoe members engageable against opposing inside wall portions of a roll of material, said shoe members having respective pivot lugs, means on the respective hook elements pivotally-engageable with said lugs, respective abutment elements on the legs, respective strut bars pivotally-connected to said piston rod, and means to drivingly connect said strut bars with said abutment elements, said hook elements being laterally-offset sufliciently relative to each other so that they can be at times superimposed.

8. In a tool for use in re-shaping rolls of material, a fluid-pressure cylinder having a piston and a piston rod secured to the piston and extending from the forward end of the cylinder, a pair of generally C-shaped opposing working arms, means pivotally-connecting the rear ends of the working arms to the rear end of the cylinder so that said working arms extend forwardly on opposite sides of the cylinder, said arms being substantially longer than the cylinder and having inwardly-extending legs at their forward ends, a plurality of transverse spaced abutment pins on each leg, forwardly-projecting hook elements on the inner ends of the legs, each hook element being formed with an outwardly-facing notch, respective strut bars pivotally-connected to the piston rod and having notches in their free ends selectively-engageable over and receiving selected abutment pins on the respective legs, whereby to drivingly connect the strut bars to the working arms, respective expansion shoes engageable in a roll of material, and projections on the shoes pivotally-engageable with the respective outwardly-facing notches of the hook elements.

9. The tool of claim 8, and wherein the hook elements are laterally-ofiset sufiiciently so that they can be at times brought together in substantially superimposed relationship.

10. In a tool for use as a spreading means, a fluidpressure cylinder having a piston and a piston rod secured to the piston and extending from the forward end of the cylinder, a pair of generally C-shaped opposing working arms having inwardly-extending front and rear legs, means pivotally-connecting said rear legs to the rear end of the cylinder so that the working arms extend for- Wardly on opposite sides of the cylinder, said working arms being substantially longer than the cylinder so that said front legs, force-transmitting means operatively-connected to said working arms, and respective strut barsz,

pivotally-connected to the piston rod and having notches in their free end portions engageable over and receiving selected abutment pins on the respective legs, whereby to L drivingly connect the strut bars to said working arms.

References Cited by the Examiner i UNITED STATES PATENTS WILLIAM FELDMAN, Primary Examiner.

O. M. SIMPSON, Examiner.

2/1944 Long 72-392 2/1950 Miller 72-492: 

1. IN A TOOL FOR USE IN RE-SHAPING ROLLS OF MATERIAL, A FLUID-PRESSURE CYLINDER HAVING A PISTON AND A PISTON ROD SECURED TO THE PISTON AND EXTENDING FROM THE FORWARD END OF THE CYLINDER, A PAIR OF WORKING ARMS PIVOTED TO THE REAR END OF THE CYLINDER AND EXTENDING FORWARDLY A SUBSTANTIAL DISTANCE BEYOND THE CYLINDER ON OPPOSITE SIDES THEREOF, RESPECTIVE FORWARDLY-PROJECTING HOOK ELEMENTS ON THE ENDS OF THE WORKING ARMS, RESPECTIVE SHOE MEMBERS ENGAGEABLE AGAINST OPPOSING INSIDE WALL PORTIONS OF A ROLL OF MATERIAL, SAID SHOE MEMBERS HAVING RESPECTIVE PIVOT LUGS, MEANS ON THE RESPECTIVE HOOK ELEMENTS PIVOTALLY-ENGAGEABLE WITH SAID LUGS, RESPECTIVE ABUTMENT ELEMENTS ON THE WORKING ARMS, RESPECTIVE STRUT BARS PIVOTALLY-CONNECTED TO SAID PISTON ROD, AND MEANS TO DRIVINGLY INTERCONNECT SAID STRUT BARS WITH SAID ABUTMENT ELEMENTS. 